Solar-Powered Gizmos for Your Desktop

Wacky-Japanese-gadget aficionados who care about saving energy can rest easy: Dynamism.com just released a bunch of cutesy desktop robo-toys that are all powered by sun or water.

Nohonon (pictured above), for example, nods his head, provided he's under regular sunlight—not completely unlike humans. Potanpoton is a plastic flower that moves around when you add water. Meanwhile, the FlipFlapQ "flower" (pictured) waves its leaves under the sun—on my last trip to Japan (in March), I saw this gizmo in every toy-shop window. Other energy-saving products in the line include Flufeur flowers that open and close when they hear sound and light and the solar-powered tweeting Kotoridayori bird.

Like many a wacky only-in-Japan gadget, these desktop toys (about $30 each) are entertaining but completely useless. But since they don't use traditional energy sources, you don't have to feel guilty.

For other one-of-a-kind imports—from a USB Snowman to an Ambient Orb from the makers of Nabaztag—check out Dynamism.